If a week is a long time in politics, just imagine how much has happened since Canada's last federal election over four years ago. The turf, the rules and some of the players have changed. So has the electorate they're targeting.

When New York announced that it would gradually raise its minimum wage to $15 an hour for fast-food workers, it was hailed by labour activists as a victory. But economists differ on whether it’s the right tool to help out lower-income families.